Major Purchases Could Ease Post-storm Rigors

June 2, 1996

If you open your wallet wide enough, you can buy some big-ticket items that could come in handy after a hurricane. Some would be useful anytime.

-- Generators: Prices vary from $200 for a 750-watt model that will run a few light bulbs, to $2,000 for an 8,000-watt model that will run everything in your house. About 4,000 watts are needed to run a small air conditioner, refrigerator and a couple of lights. Be sure you have plenty of heavy-duty extension cords to connect the generator to appliances. A generator with a fuel tank larger than 5 gallons is preferable. You'll need about 5 gallons of gas to run a generator all night.

-- Gas grills: Single-burner models start at $99. Because you'll probably use the grill at other times of the year, consider spending an additional $50 for a model with two burners. It allows you to cook more things at once. You'll need propane gas to run a gas grill, so an extra tank (about $25) could be handy.

-- Camping stove: The stoves, which cost about $60, run on small propane tanks and are sufficient for short-term use. A tank of fuel will cook several meals.

-- Gasoline-powered chain saws: Small ones start at $100. Get one with a 12-to-14-inch chain. It will give two to three days of steady cutting before the chain has to be replaced. If you anticipate more cutting, buy an extra chain for about $8.

-- Tents: One-person models start at $30; 10-person tents start at $300. Tents can be sweaty little enclosures even in the evening, but they can provide basic housing in a jam.

-- Portable toilets: Regular camping toilets are $60 to $150. The $60 models have a seat and a tank that holds waste. More expensive models run on batteries and flush.

-- Tarpaulins: Tarps or plastic sheeting such as Visqueen can be handy for covering a hole in the roof or draping over valuables exposed by a storm. A 30-by-60-foot tarp costs about $80. Heavy-gauge Visqueen, 6 mills thick, costs $10 for a 250-square-foot roll.

-- Self-adhesive roofing paper: A roll of tar paper with a self-adhesive strip can be used for temporary roof repairs. It costs about $50 for 100 square feet and can last for months.

-- Battery-operated TV sets: They can keep you informed after the power goes out. Black-and-white models with 4-inch screens cost as little as $60. But note: Battery consumption is high.